Improvement in many-chambered fire-arms



C. PARKHURST.

Breech-Loading Fire-Arm. N0. 409. Patented Sept. 25, 1837 N. PETERS. FHOTD-LITMOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. a c.

UNrTE TATES IMPROVEMENT IN MANY-CHAMBERED FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 409, dated September 25, 1837.

To all whom it nmg concern Be it known that I, CURTIs PARKHURST, of Lawrenceville, in the county of Tioga and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Method for the Manufacture of Fire-Arms; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description.

The nature of my invention consists of a magazine that contains either one, two, three, four, or five chambers; but the usual number, is three, as in drawings hereunto annexed Figure 1. The chambers are parallel to each other, with the exception of the u per part of the chamber for the reception of "the ball or shot, which is enlarged, and the enlargement being made upon the outer side gives that portion a radial form; but I do not claim the invention of the radial portion. The magazine moves at the upper end horizontally either to the right or left, and turns at the lower part upon a globular hinge or socket, which is formed either by the globular portion of the magazine, as by Fig. 2, and concave breech-pin, Fig. 4, or concave magazine, as by 1, and globular breech-pin, Fig. 3. They are secured in their place by a collar that screws onto the long barrel, with straps of iron or other metal, that pass upon the top and bottom of the magazine and breech-pin,

having square shoulders upon the inside of each strap for the breech-pin to rest against, as in Fig. 5. The magazine moves to the right or left between the straps from the collar a sufficient distance to allow the different chambers to come in range with the long barrel.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will describe its construction and operation.

I make my barrels in any of the known forms. I then cut down a certain portion of the thickness of the barrel at the lower end and screw on the collar represented by Fig.

8. The magazine I make of solid metal, and drill the chambers a sufficient distance apart at the upper end to clear the long barrel, so that it may be loaded without the charge having to pass through the long barrel. The length and size of the chambers I accommodate to the caliber of the gun. I fit the magazine to the breech-pin and to the end of the barrel, so when it moves to the right or left it will present the same even surface, but do not claim the invention of the circular face. The breech-pin I make of a size and shape to suit the lower part of the magazine, as in Figs. 3 and 4. The breech-pin, as by Figs. 3 and 4, has a tenon that passes through each strap, and the square part behind rests against the shoulder upon the straps from the collar. I

make as many fuse-holes as there are chant bers, and fire them by percussion-cap, pill, or otherwise.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- A magazine that contains either one, two, three, four, or five semi-parallel chambers, as above described, (but do not claim the manychambered magazine,) moving at the upper end horizontally to the right or left a sufficient distance to allow the loads in each chamber to be discharged through the long barrel, and at the lower end to turn upon a globular hinge or socket formed by the lower part of the magazine and breech-pin, as in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, as well as the adaptation of the collar to support the breech-pin by the square shoulders, for it to rest against. I use either brass or any other metal for making any or all of the above, and claim the use as adapted to all kinds of fire-arms.

CURTIS PARKHURST.

Witnesses:

S. W. DOUGALL, WM. EVANS. 

